Chile, one of the avocado industry’s emerging superpowers, hosted the World Avocado Congress for the first time, welcoming delegates and speakers from 22 countries to the picturesque coastal city of Viña del Mar.
The congress - first held in South Africa in 1987 - heard representatives from all the major producing countries give updates on the, mostly upward, progress of their industries.
Mexico, the world’s most prolific avocado producer, said it expects its total exports to increase from 240,692 tonnes in 2006-07 to 264,761t in the year ahead. Chile, too, predicts continued strong growth in its exports to Europe. This is in spite of a fall this year, following unseasonable frosts that wiped out production in many low-lying avocado groves in July. Peru, meanwhile, predicts exports will increase from 31,000t in 2007 to 40,000t next year and, according to several UK importers, is a promising source for Hass during the summer.
As well as established sessions on genetic resources, pests and diseases, culture management, post harvest and processing, the congress held several marketing presentations, an overview of the European and US markets, and a look at the benefits of eating avocados on health.
The four-day programme included visits to Chilean avocado groves and packing operations, lunch and a display at the military horse academy at Quillota, below, and a closing dinner and cocktail reception at Viña’s sporting club.
